Phuket expects Bt2 bln in circulation during Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day

PHUKET, Jan 31 – Phuket’s Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) provincial office estimates that the upcoming Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day will generate around Bt2 billion in circulation for tourism here.

TAT Phuket Office Director Charnchai Duangchit said the number of hotel reservations has risen to about 80 per cent, which is close to the occupancy during the recent New Year’s celebration period, according to local hotel entrepreneurs.

Hotel rooms along the beach received the highest number of bookings.

Mr Charnchai said most tourists coming in February are Chinese, for it is the Chinese New Year holiday and Phuket has for some years been a favourite destination among Chinese travellers.

Apart from the Chinese, other tourists are from Russia, Australia, and several European countries.

Phuket Municipality has prepared a Chinese New Year festival to be held during Feb 15-17. The number of tourists here is expected to be at least 300,000 persons in February.